“A Retail Business Owner’s Thoughts on What Makes a Great Employee”
I am the owner of a retail business employing about fifteen people. Here are some of the things I look for in my employees:
First, I look for a “good” person. By good I mean an individual who is kind, thoughtful, respectful and an all-around nice person. I can teach them skills but I cannot teach them to be nice. Secondly, I look for commitment. Are they committed to their job, to this organization? If they cannot be committed, they should not be here. Committed means they show up on time for work; they are willing to stay late on occasion if the need arises; they do not wait for you to tell them something to do throughout the day but they look for work to do; they are interested in the welfare of my company and will do what ever it takes to help us be successful; they do not waste time (which in effect is stealing); they are committed to helping the other people in the organization.
Honesty is essential, whether we are talking about wasting time or taking things that do not belong to us. Always try to see how much you can do, not how little. Do not wait and complain if you do not feel you are properly trained. Why not take the initiative – ask questions, read books, attend seminars, even if you have to pay for them yourself. Why would you do that? Because you are investing in your future. If you are not interested in investing in your future, why should anyone else?
It is essential that you be able to get along with others. Not that everyone is easy to get along with. There are jerks in every work place. However, when you respond in kind, that only makes you what they are. In every work place, in any job, there has to be a lot of give and take. Make it your goal in life to be kind to and get along with every one. You might think no one is going to take advantage of you, you won’t allow it. If you react every time you are treated wrongly, I can assure you that you will spend your life retaliating. You will spend a large portion of your time on wasted emotion that will accomplish nothing positive. Many times it is better to shrug our shoulders and walk away. There are times when you will need to take a stand based on an important principle. However, be certain you are selective as to which issues are of critical importance.
If you follow these few basic business principles, I can almost guarantee you will be successful in whatever you do. By the way, make certain, especially as you choose your life’s work, that you love the work you do. That simplifies everything and makes your work so much more enjoyable. In the interim, even if you do not like your temporary job, give it everything you have. Your employer will appreciate it, will give you a good recommendation, and you will learn a good work ethic.
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